An international collaboration spearheaded by researchers at the University of Bath has resulted in a groundbreaking advancement in the fight against persistent environmental pollutants known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These compounds, infamously branded as ‘forever chemicals,’ are chemically resilient pollutants that persist in ecosystems and bioaccumulate in living organisms, posing an escalating but poorly understood risk to public health and environmental sustainability. The team has engineered a novel photocatalyst capable of harnessing sunlight to effectively degrade these tenacious molecules, marking a significant breakthrough toward combating PFAS contamination on a practical scale.
PFAS have long been a vexing environmental challenge due to their extreme stability and resistance to natural degradation processes. Commonly incorporated in a variety of consumer goods—ranging from waterproof outwear and non-stick cookware to cosmetics—their molecular architecture renders them remarkably persistent. As a result, these substances have been identified in water supplies, soil matrices, the food chain, and even within human tissues. The biological accumulation of PFAS, accompanied by emerging epidemiological evidence, suggests potential links to a range of adverse health outcomes, including certain cancers, underscoring the urgency for effective remediation technologies.
In an innovative approach, the interdisciplinary team devised a photocatalytic system based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), a carbon-based semiconductor known for its visible-light activity and chemical resilience. This photocatalyst was further enhanced by incorporating an intrinsically microporous polymer, PIM-1, which plays a vital role in adsorbing PFAS molecules onto the catalyst’s active surface. The combination of g-C3N4 and PIM-1 facilitates intimate interaction with PFAS under illumination, promoting efficient photochemical degradation to innocuous end products such as carbon dioxide and fluoride ions—flourine-based derivatives analogous to those found in dental care products.
The significance of this design lies in its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Unlike prior methods that require harsh chemical treatments or expensive specialized equipment, this catalyst operates under environmental conditions close to neutral pH and utilizes abundant sunlight as a sustainable energy input. The photocatalytic breakdown mechanism involves activation of the catalyst under visible light, generating reactive species capable of cleaving the robust carbon-fluorine bonds characteristic of PFAS molecules—a notoriously difficult feat due to the exceptional bond strength and the inertness of these compounds.
Lead researcher Professor Frank Marken, from the University of Bath’s Department of Chemistry and Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change, highlights the transformative potential of this technology: “Detecting and degrading PFAS in environmental samples have traditionally necessitated complex instrumentation and protocols housed in specialized laboratories. Our development proposes a shift towards accessible, portable sensing and remediation platforms that could operate in situ, offering rapid detection and degradation capabilities even in remote or resource-limited settings.”
The introduction of PIM-1 polymer not only boosts PFAS adsorption but also stabilizes the catalyst’s structure, promoting sustained activity without rapid deactivation—a common limitation in photocatalytic systems targeting environmental contaminants. This polymer’s microporosity enhances molecular sieving, selectively concentrating PFAS at the catalytic interface, thereby maximizing photodegradation efficiency even at ambient environmental pH levels.
A critical aspect of the research is the dual functionality envisioned for this catalyst system. Besides its degradation capacity, the material also acts as a sensor by detecting fluoride ions released during PFAS breakdown. This feature could pave the way for real-time monitoring tools, enabling environmental scientists and regulatory agencies to map contamination patterns swiftly and cost-effectively—a vital step in managing and mitigating pollution hotspots.
Dr. Fernanda C. O. L. Martins, who led much of the experimental work during her doctoral tenure, explains: “The challenge was twofold—to design a catalyst that not only decomposes PFAS effectively but also functions efficiently under mild, environmentally relevant conditions. Our approach with the carbon nitride and PIM-1 polymer composite addresses both aspects, moving us closer to practical applications beyond laboratory confines.”
The prototype’s demonstration showcases promising degradation rates for heptadecafluoro-1-nonanol, one of the many PFAS variants contributing to persistent pollution. The research team’s forward-looking strategy involves collaborating with industrial partners to optimize catalyst fabrication parameters and scale production methods, aiming toward commercial deployment in water treatment facilities, environmental sensors, and portable remediation devices.
While currently at a nascent scale, this innovation signals paradigm-shifting prospects for environmental chemistry and public health protection. The marriage of green chemistry principles—leveraging solar energy and non-toxic materials—with cutting-edge polymer science and nanotechnology forms a synergistic platform that could redefine approaches to chemical pollution worldwide.
This advancement aligns with global priorities to curtail the relentless spread of PFAS compounds while addressing regulatory and community demands for more transparent, affordable, and effective environmental monitoring and cleanup technologies. By converting pollutant molecules into benign products under sunlight, this catalyst embodies a sustainable remediation approach that answers the call for ecologically responsible innovation.
The study’s publication in the journal RSC Advances formalizes these findings and opens avenues for further investigations to tailor photocatalyst formulations for a broader spectrum of PFAS chemicals, optimize reaction kinetics, and enhance sensor sensitivity. It also underlines the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging chemistry, materials science, and environmental engineering to mitigate one of the most pressing pollution challenges of the 21st century.
As efforts to refine this photocatalytic technology advance, the vision of deploying simple, sunlight-powered devices to detect and dismantle forever chemicals moves from theoretical possibility toward tangible reality. Such innovations hold the promise of empowering communities, safeguarding ecosystems, and illuminating a path to a cleaner, PFAS-free future.
Subject of Research:
Not applicable
Article Title:
Intrinsically microporous polymer (PIM-1) enhanced degradation of heptadecafluoro-1-nonanol at graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)
News Publication Date:
2-Jan-2026
Web References:
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2026/ra/d5ra07284k
References:
DOI: 10.1039/D5RA07284K
Keywords
Chemical decomposition, Environmental chemistry, Green chemistry, Organic chemistry, Photochemistry, Photochemical reactions, Environmental remediation, Chemical pollution, Water pollution
